When will these freeloaders start paying the rent?!?

[DrFeathers]

Ok - this 19 week old BR in my mixed flock has looked ready to lay for at least a week. She seems like the most mature of the group. We / my kids are getting impatient waiting for the girls to start paying rent! About how long after the comb and wattles are big and red do they actually lay an egg?

 

[chicks are life]

They sometimes crouch or squat as submission.
That rent is coming...soon!!!?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It could be days or weeks away still......

 

[chicks are life]

Measure they pelvis bones laying hens are 2.5-3 fingers wide.while close to laying hens are 2

 

[mobius]

The rent is in the mail

I think it was 2-4 weeks after starting to squat and getting red wattle that I got my first egg...right at 22 weeks. Then came the deluge. Be careful what you wish for!

 

[chicks are life]

X2

 

[mobius]

Here ya go:

 

[mobius]

Chicken shaming often makes them lay quicker.

 

[DrFeathers]

How did you get Taco to pose for that picture? The likeness is uncanny! LOL!

 

[DrFeathers]

Ok follow up question Ive been quietly anxious about - my double egg box has two side by side nest spaces 11" wide, 12" deep, 13" tall at front and 11" tall at back (slopes roof) - that's big enough, right? There are ceramic eggs in each nest to encourage laying there but have yet to see a footprint in the pine shavings. Arent they supposed to practice going in as they mature?